LEARNING FROM THE VANISHING BUILT HERITAGE (A Case of Colonial Buildings in Abbottabad City-Pakistan)

Abstract

Built Heritage is irreplaceable when it is at high risk. Rapid urbanization is threatening the historic urban landscape and is making it increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards i.e. earthquake and maninduced interventions. These threats have endangered the built heritage of colonial buildings in Abbottabad. To preserve these valuable assets from vanishing which is the reflection of our past inherited from the British era in indo-Pakistan and then Pakistan. This could be only possible through practical approaches for sustainable development. These approaches ranging from mass awareness campaigns regarding the protection of built heritage to National legislation for its protection & wellequipped and trained people acquired for the preservation. Architecturally and historically significant built heritage is now at high stake and needs proper consideration of heritage experts, Architects and structure Engineers to make sure of keeping its true identity by maintaining its glorious history of the British Empire, its antiquity and for the blooming of cultural tourism industry in Pakistan. This paper is focused on the documentation of the colonial buildings in Abbottabad city and the preservation of Frontier House & DCO office Abbottabad.